THE BODY of a man was yesterday found at the foot of his girlfriend’s grave in south Co Wexford.
The 32-year-old’s body was discovered in St Abbans Cemetery, in Adamstown, two days after the funeral of his girlfriend, Gillian Bradley, who died suddenly on Friday night, was held at the graveyard.
Insp Michael Walsh said gardaí in New Ross were alerted at approximately 11.55am yesterday when a call was received at the station.
Gardaí immediately went to the scene and the area was cordoned off for forensic examination, he said.
The body was later removed by ambulance to Waterford Regional Hospital where a postmortem examination will be carried out.
“A legally held rifle was found beside the body,” Insp Walsh said, adding that gardaí were not treating the death as suspicious.
Last night in a statement the parish priest of Adamstown extended his sympathies to those affected by the tragedy.
“The parish of Adamstown is devastated by the tragedy which took place in the village.
“On behalf of the community, Fr Robert Nolan, parish priest of Adamstown, would like to offer the family of the victim our deepest sympathy and our prayers.”
In what is a quiet, rural village, with the church and cemetery lying in the centre of the village on the main road, locals were left shocked.
One described the “immense sorrow” which was felt in the parish following Ms Bradley’s death.
“This has now compounded the sorrow. Everyone is praying for both families in these tragic moments,” the local said.
The dead man, a carpenter by trade, was originally from Adamstown.